Genealogy and Local History - Exploring the evidence
Workshop and Cemetery Visit
PRONI- 25 October 2008

The Workshop was assisted by PRONI and the NI Family History Society

The second of the Federation's workshops in 2008 took place in PRONI. The Workshop's theme was exploring the evidence available to family researchers in official and other records. The event included a visit to Friar's Bush Graveyard led by Dr Eamon Phoenix, well known historian, journalist and broadcaster. Excluding the speakers, there were 35 participants.

Valerie Adams led off with a comprehensive tour of the records available in PRONI and how they can be utilised and a roundup of a vast range of other sources in church and local authority records. Valerie was followed by Dr William Roulston of the Ulster Historical Foundation who took us on a illustrated tour through Ulster Graveyards, demonstrating the changing nature of gravestone design and the influences of Scottish and classical design.

Valerie Adams of PRONI discussing the sources	One of the slides
Dr William Roulston's presentation	One of the slides
Sandra Ardis and Anne Johnston outline the work of the NI Family History Society	One of the slides
The group gathers at the entrance to the Cemetery	On the tour of the cemetery

Dr Eamon Phoenix takes the group through the history of Belfast and the cemetery